Manuela holds a Degree in Biology/Plant Sciences (FCUP, 1999), a M.Sc. in Genetic Resources and Plant Breeding (UTAD, 2003), and Ph.D. in Biology/Microbiology (FCUP, 2009). Since 2011, Manuela has been developing her work at IPATIMUP, mainly focused on the identification of microorganisms using different molecular tools. Manuela holds a total of 52 scientific articles and one book chapter (1449 citations, h-index: 22; data from Google Scholar) presented 45 communications in scientific meetings, and holds a patent application.Manuela is also an Invited Assistant Professor at the Departamento de Biologia - FCUP (since 2014), collaborating in the Module of Applications of Non-Human Forensic Sciences (Forensic Microbiology and Botany), and supervised the thesis of five Master Degree students.In the last three years, Manuela has participated in several entrepreneurship programs and awards, such as ASA – ANJE Startup Accelerator, RESOLVE-Health Program, “Acredita Portugal” Innovation Award, BES Innovation Award, “ArriscaC” Ignition Program, and Portugal Ventures - Call for Entrepreneurship.